Menton to Sospel via Col de Castillon in the Maritime Alps

The road section discussed here is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, connecting the town of Menton to the village of Sospel. This route traverses the Maritime Alps, a subrange of the Alps known locally as Alpes Maritimes, and also crosses the Préalpes de Nice. The road passes through the Parc de l'Ubac Foran, a protected natural area. The elevation along the road ranges from 108 m (354 ft) near Menton to 709 m (2,326 ft) approaching Sospel, with the Col de Castillon mountain pass at 728 m (2,388 ft) marking the highest point. An interactive map showing the road can be found at the end of this article.

The road extends approximately 18 kilometers (11.3 miles) and is primarily asphalt surfaced with a quality rating of about 3.8 out of 5, indicating a generally good but not perfect surface condition. It is mostly two lanes wide (about 86% of the route), with a small portion being single lane (around 5%). The road width varies, with the majority (about 70%) being wide enough for comfortable two-way traffic, while narrower sections account for about 10%. The route is moderately curvy, rated at 2.21 on a scale where 3 is extremely curvy, featuring a mix of gentle bends and sharper turns typical of mountain roads.

The road crosses the Col de Castillon mountain pass, which sits at 728 m (2,388 ft) elevation. This pass is a notable feature of the route and offers a transition point between the lower coastal areas near Menton and the higher inland terrain near Sospel. The road passes through the Parc de l'Ubac Foran, a national park that preserves the natural environment of this part of the Maritime Alps. More information about the park can be found on its official website at Parc de l'Ubac Foran.

Speed limits along the route vary according to the road section and local conditions, with maximum speeds set at 80 km/h (50 mph) on faster stretches, reducing to 70 km/h (43 mph), 50 km/h (31 mph), and as low as 30 km/h (19 mph) in more constrained or inhabited areas. Approximately 61% of the road passes through inhabited zones, which influences speed regulation and traffic density. The road serves as a connector between Menton and Sospel, accommodating both local and tourist traffic.

This route crosses multiple mountain ranges, including the Alps, the Maritime Alps, and the Préalpes de Nice. These ranges contribute to the road's elevation profile and curviness, offering a varied riding experience through alpine terrain. The Maritime Alps are well known for their rugged landscapes and proximity to the Mediterranean coast. For more detailed geographic context, see the Maritime Alps and the Préalpes de Nice articles.